Polyvinyl alcohol-glyoxal-polyol adhesive composition

ABSTRACT

DISCLOSED HEREIN IS AN ADHESIVE COMPOSITION COMPRISING (A) A POLYVINYL ALCOHOL RESIN, (B) GLYOXAL AND (C) A POLYOL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF CIS 1,2POLYOLS AND CERTAIN 1,3-POLYOLS DISPERSED IN AN AQUEOUS MEDIUM. THE ADHESIVE COMPOSITIONS MAY CONTAIN MINOR AMOUNTS OF ADJUVANTS SUCH AS INERT FILLERS OR EXTENDERS, METHYL CELLULOSE, POTASSIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, SODIUM ACETATE AND MIXTURES THEREOF.

United States Patent Office 3,700,611 Patented Oct. 24, 1972 3,700,611POLYVINYL ALCOHOL-GLYOXAL-POLYOL ADHESIVE COMPOSITION Ralph F. Nickersonand Harold D. Weymouth, Springfield, Mass., assignors to MonsantoCompany, St. Louis,

N Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 775,146, Nov. 12,1968. This application Jan. 4, 1971, Ser. No. 103,914 The portion of theterm of the patent subsequent to June 17, 1988, has been disclaimed Int.Cl. C093 3/16 US. Cl. 260-17 R 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is acontinuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 775,146, filedNov. 12, 1968, and now US. Pat. 3,600,342, granted Aug. 17, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This inventionrelates to aqueous adhesive compositions. More particularly, thisinvention relates to aqueous adhesive compositions that are stable tosoluble borate salts and that ultimately yield Water resistant bonds.The adhesive composition comprises (A) polyvinyl alcohol, (B) glyoxaland (C) a polyol such as a cis 1,2-polyol dispersed in an aqueousmedium.

(2) Description of the prior art Polyvinyl alcohol adhesives are wellknown in the prior art. These materials have excellent adhesiveproperties and find widespread use in bonding cellulosic and otherporous materials. The polyvinyl alcohol adhesives are widely used inWall board joint compounds, fiber board and box board laminating,corrugating operations and in many other paper converting uses. Althoughpolyvinyl alcohol adhesives have excellent adhesive properties and enjoywidespread use, they suffer a drawback in that they are sensitive to theeifects of certain boron compounds. At a pH of greater than about 6.0,these boron compounds cause thickening, loss of adhesion and ultimatelygelation of the polyvinyl alcohol adhesive. This gelatin phenomena isdescribed at length in US. Pat. 3,135,648 where the patentee, in orderto prevent gelation, maintains the pH of the system below 5.5, usingstrong acids.

Accidental contamination of polyvinyl alcohol based adhesives with boroncompounds can be a serious problem in the adhesive and related end useindustries. The boron compounds are widely used as ingredients inadhesives as in casein and starch based adhesives and as tackifiersespecially with starch to produce gummy characteristics and in limitedamounts in conjunction with strong acids in polyvinyl alcohol adhesives.Moreover, the active boron compound may be present in the substrates tobe adhered by virtue of the nature of prior treatment of thesesubstrates. Therefore, contamination and gelation of ordinary polyvinylalcohol adhesives may occur due to the presence of boron compounds inmixing equipment and other processing equipment such as conduits andapplicator rolls or on the substrate itself.

The use of strong acids to maintain the pH of the polyvinyl alcoholsystems below the gelation region gives rise to more problems such asequipment corrosion. Moreover, pH adjustment and control is difficultand extraordinary and many adhesive manufacturers and end users areunaccustomed to controlling pH. In addition the pH of many polyvinylalcohol adhesive systems is greater than 6.0 and the use of strong acidsto prevent gelation could adversely affect other adhesive properties andgive rise to other equally serious problems.

Another drawback encountered in many polyvinyl alcohol based adhesivesis their lack of water resistance. This is especially true of lowmolecular weight, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols. Cold watersolubility of these materials is desired in the formulating procedures,but the ready solubility is disadvantageous in the glue line in thefinished products. The exposure of the glue line to moist high relativehumidity conditions may cause failure of the adhesive bond.

The present invention obviates the problem of thickening of the adhesiveand loss of adhesion and other properties which arises when thepolyvinyl alcohol binder is contaminated (for example) by the borax usedin the wall board material. At the same time the present invention alsooffers an improvement in the water resistance of the polyvinyl alcoholglue line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a boraxstable, water resistant adhesive composition comprising (A) polyvinylalcohol, (B) glyoxal and (C) a polyol selected from the group consistingof cis 1,2-polyols and certain 1,3-polyols dispersed in an aqueousmedium.

The present invention solves problems previously encountered in theprior art by providing (1) an adhesive composition which is borax stableand less susceptible to adverse thickening and loss of adhesion due tointeraction with the boron compounds commonly used in the adhesiveindustry and (2) an adhesive composition with improved water resistance.

It is an object of this invention to provide new aqueous based adhesivecompositions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide aqueous basedadhesive compositions which are borax stable.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an adhesivecomposition which will resist thickening and loss of adhesion uponinteractionwith the borax compounds commonly used in the adhesiveindustry.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The foregoing and other objectsare achieved by an adhesive composition which comprises (A) polyvinylalcohol, (B) glyoxal and (C) a polyol selected from the group consistingof cis 1,2-polyols and certain 1,3-polyols dispersed in an aqueousmedium.

The polyvinyl alcohols used in the present invention are those partiallyand fully hydrolyzed materials which contain not more than 60% by weightof residual unhydrolyzed acetate groups, calculated as polyvinylacetate. These polyvinyl alcohol materials have viscosities in the rangeof from 1.3 to 150 centipoises when measured as a 4% by Weight aqueoussolution at 20 C. These materials are Well known to those skilled in theart and need further description here.

The final choice of polyvinyl alcohol used will depend on the particularapplication and the type of adhesive properties desired. For example,fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols having a 4% aqueous solutionviscosity of at least 35 centipoises would be used in fiber board andbox board laminating and in corrugating applications where a much higherdegree of water resistance is desired and where the application permitsthe cooking of the adhesive formulation. On the other hand, where coldwater soluble adhesives are desired as in wall board joint cements, wallpaper pastes, etc., one would use polyvinyl alcohol having an aqueoussolution viscosity of less than 65 centipoises and a residual polyvinylacetate content of from to 40%.

The glyoxal used is a commercially available material which may be usedin either crystalline or solution form depending on whether the adhesivecomposition is to be prepared in the form of a dry mix adhesive whereinthe respective components are blended together or whether a paste-typeadhesive is to be prepared.

The polyols used are cis 1,2-polyols such as sorbitol, mannitol,glycerol, ethylene glycol, dulcitol, etc., and 1,3- polyols such aspentaerythritol and trimethylol alkanes wherein the alkane groupcontains from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, for example, trimethylol ethane,trimethylol propane and trimethylol butane. Especially preferred are cis1,2-polyols such as sorbitol and mannitol.

Although polyvinyl alcohol may be classed as a polyol, the expressionpolyol as used in regard to the present invention refers to the class ofpolyols referred to above. The amount of glyoxal used in the polyvinylalcohol based adhesives of the present invention is in the range of from2 to 50 parts per hundred parts polyvinyl alcohol resin (phr.). Morepreferably from 10 to 30 parts of glyoxal is used per hundred parts ofresin. In most rpeferred embodiment from to parts of glyoxal are usedper hundred parts of resin.

The amount of the polyol component used in the polyvinyl alcohol basedadhesives of the present invention is in the range of from 2 to 40 partsper hundred parts polyvinyl alcohol resin. More preferably, from 5 to 25parts of the polyol component is used per hundred parts of resin. In themost preferred embodiment 10 to 20 parts of the polyol component areused per hundred parts of resin.

The adhesive compositions described above can be used as is or inconjunction with various inert fillers or extenders. These extenders andfiller are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples of thesematerials include clay, especially kaolinite clays, dolomite, groundlimestone, i.e. calcium carbonate, asbestos, mica, silica, talc, gypsum,etc.

In addition to lower adhesive costs the inert fillers and extenders areuseful for controlling adhesive viscosity and penetration of theadhesive into the substrate as well as promoting quick tack, i.e.,setting of the adhesive bond. As will be seen below the inert fillers orextenders can be present in amounts of up to 98 parts by weight per 100parts of the adhesive composition.

Furthermore, the polyvinyl alcohol/ glyoxal/polyol adhesives of thepresent invention may be further modified by incorporating therein from0 to 300 parts per 100- parts of polyvinyl alcohol of other adhesivesubstances such as starch, dextrin, and polyvinyl acetate resins.Especially preferred are pearl starch and polyvinyl acetate resins whichmay be used in the form of polyvinyl acetate emulsions or aqueousdispersions or in the form of spray-dried polyvinyl acetate powders. Thelatter form is to be preferred when the adhesive compositions are to bein the form of a dry mix adhesive.

The preferred polyvinyl acetate powders used in the adhesivecompositions of this invention are the free-flowing, water, dispersiblepowders obtained upon spray drying aqueous emulsions of polyvinylacetate according to the process of Morrison, U.S. Pat. 2,800,463 orBray, U.S. Pats. 3,104,234 and 3,225,425.

The aqueous adhesive compositions of the present invention are preparedby dispersing the polyvinyl alcohol, glyoxal, polyol and any additionalingredients in water so as to form an aqueous adhesive composition.

The amount of water used is such so as to provide an adhesivecomposition with a solids content of from 2 to 70% by weight based onthe total weight of the aqueous adhesive composition. Preferably, thesolids content is in the range of from 5 to 60% by weight and morepreferably in the range of from 5 to 40% by weight based on the totalWeight of the aqueous adhesive composition. The solids content isconveniently measured by heating a small sample of the aqueous adhesivecomposition at 110 C. for 2 hours.

Stated in another way, the amount of water used in aqueous adhesivecompositions of the present invention is in the range of from 30 to 98%by weight based on the total weight of the aqueous adhesive composition.Preferably, the amount of water is in the range of from 40 to by weightand more preferably in the range of from 60 to 95% by weight.

The following examples are set forth in illustration of the presentinvention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof. All partsand percentages are by Weight unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1 This example illustrates the superior borax stability andwater resistance that may be achieved in the adhesive compositions ofthe present invention. One hundred (100) parts of fully hydrolyzedpolyvinyl alcohol having a residual acetate content of less than 2% byweight and a 4% aqueous solution viscosity of 63 centipoises at 20 C.,is dry blended with 3 parts of powdered glyoxal and 27 parts ofsorbitol. The dry blend is dispersed in 890 parts of cold water and theslurry is then heated to 95 C. while maintaining agitation in order todissolve the components. The solution is then cooled to about 25 C.

This solution is then tested for borax stability by adding, withagitation, seventy (70) ml. of a 5% borax solution to the adhesivecomposition. The viscosity of the adhesive composition increasedslightly and the tackiness of this adhesive composition increased to adesirable level. However, there was no signs of gelation or loss ofadhesion.

A laminate prepared from 64 lb. kraft sheets and the foregoing adhesivecomposition is found to have an excellent bond strength which wasunaffected by immersion in water for 24 hours.

EXAMPLE 2 Example 1 is repeated here except that 100 parts of analuminum-silicate clay which is identified as ASP-400 is added dry tothe dry mixture of polyvinyl alcohol, glyoxal and sorbitol. This dryblend is then slurried in 770 parts of cold water and cooked as inExample 1. This composition is tested for borax stability and tackinessand is used to prepare a 64# kraft laminate as in Example 1 whichlaminate is subsequently tested for water resistance. The boraxstability of the adhesive and the water resistance of the laminate iscomparable to that observed in Example 1. However, the clay containingadhesive composition of this example showed better wet tack and lesspenetration in the preparation of the laminate.

The following Examples 3 and 4 are set forth as controls to show thepoor borax stability of a polyvinyl alcohol adhesive that does notcontain a polyol in accordance with the practice of this invention.

EXAMPLE 3 Example 1 is repeated here except that the sorbitol componentis omitted in the adhesive formulation and the amount of water isincreased to 897 parts. This solution is then tested for borax stabilityby adding, with agitation, forty-five (45) ml. of a 5% borax solution tothe adhesive composition. The adhesive composition thickenedconsiderably and underwent a substantial decrease in tackiness andadhesiveness which made the composition unsuitable as a laminatingadhesive.

EXAMPLE 4 EXAMPLE 5 Example 1 is repeated here except that mannitol isused as the polyol compound in place of the sorbitol used in Example 1.Comparable results are obtained in the properties of the adhesiveformulation and in the 64 lb. kraft laminates.

EMMPLB 6 This example illustrates the use of the adhesive compositionsof the present invention as a wallboard joint compound. The followingingredients were dry blended.

Parts Binder portion:

Polyvinyl alcohol 2. 41

Glyoxal 0. 32

Sorbitol. 0. 21

Inert fillers:

Asbestos... 5.57

Mica 6.57

Calcium carbonate 84.

Talc 1.06

The polyvinyl alcohol used is a cold water soluble partially hydrolyzedmaterial having a residual acetate content of about 20% by weight and a4% aqueous solution viscosity of about centipoises.

One hundred parts of the dry blend prepared above is slurried into 50parts of water at 25 C. to form an adhesive composition having aconsistency suitable for use as a dry wall joint compound. This materialis tested for borax stability according to the procedure outlined inExample 1 above and found not to gel or undergo a decrease inadhesiveness when parts of a 5% borax solution is added to the adhesive.

The adhesive composition prepared above is tested as a dry wall jointcompound in accordance with the methods prescribed in ASTM C 474-61T andASTM C 475-61T and found to have excellent overall properties such asgood bond of the joint tape to the joint compound at both normal and lowtemperatures, easy sandability, low shrinkage, and absence of checkcracking and edge cracking.

These excellent adhesive properties make the above formulationespecially useful as a joint tape adhesive and finishing adhesive foruse in dry wall construction.

EXAMPLE 7 This example is set forth to show the decrease in waterresistance which occurs when glyoxal is omitted from the adhesiveformulations of the present invention.

Example 6 is repeated here that the glyoxal is omitted from theformulation. This control formulation is used as a joint tape compoundfor dry wall construction. The dry wall joint along with a sampleprepared using the adhesive formulation of Example 6 is then tested foradhesion after exposure to conditions of high humidity according to thefollowing procedure.

ln a modification of the ASTM method for bond of tape to joint compound,the test assembly is held for 24 hours at 40 F. and to percent relativehumidity. Thereafter, the test assembly is dried to constant weight at70 to 80 F. and 45 and 55 percent relative humidity. The degree ofadhesion after conditioning at the higher relative humidity and theimprovement on drying at the lower relative humidity are observed.

The taped dry wall joint prepared using the adhesive formulation ofExample 6 which contains glyoxal shows superior adhesion after exposureto conditions of high humidity than does the dry wall joint preparedwith the adhesive formulation of Example 7 which contains no glyoxal.

EXAMPLE '8 This example further illustrates the superior boraxresistance of the adhesive formulations of the present invention.

Example 6 is repeated here except that the sorbitol and glyoxal areomitted from the formulation. This formulation is found to gel and loseadhesiveness when only one (1) part of a 5% borax solution is added tothe formulation.

Thus, the adhesive composition of Example 6 prepared using glyoxal andsorbitol has significantly better water resistance and 10 times theborax stability as the same formulation without the polyol and glyoxalcomponents.

EXAMPLE 9 This example is set forth to illustrate other polyols whichmay be used in the practice of this invention.

Example 6 is repeated here except that mannitol is used in place of thesorbitol used in Example 6. Comparable results are obtained in theproperties of the adhesive formulation and in the taped dry wall testpanels.

EXAMPLE 10 This example is set forth to illustrate the use of apolyvinyl acetate adhesive in conjunction with the polyvinylalcohol/glyoxal/polyol adhesives of the present invention.

The following binder portion is prepared and dry blended with 96.8 partsof a blend of the inert fillers and adjuvants used in Example 6.

Parts Polyvinyl acetate 1.00 Polyvinyl alcohol 1.67 Glyoxal 0.32Sorbitol 0.21

Total 3.20

EXAMPLE 1 1 Example 10 is repeated here except using the followingbinder.

Parts Polyvinyl acetate 1.67 Polyvinyl alcohol 1.00 Glyoxal 0.10Sorbitol 0.21

Total 2.98

Comparable results are obtained in the properties of the adhesiveformulation and in the taped dry wall test panels.

EXAMPLE 12 In this example the following binder is used to prepare a drywall joint compound.

The polyvinyl alcohol used is a cold water soluble partially hydrolyzedmaterial having a residual acetate content of about 22% by weight and a4% aqueous solution viscosity of about 7.5 centipoises.

The polyvinyl acetate used is a spray dried, water-dispersible powderobtained from an aqueous emulsion of polyvinyl acetate containing 60%solids by weight and stabilized with polyvinyl alcohol. The powder isfreeflowing and has an average particle size of approximately 17microns.

This binder portion is then blended with 74.5 parts of a blend of theinert fillers and adjuvants used in. Example 6. The dry blend is thendispersed in 100 parts of water and the resulting adhesive is evaluatedfor borax stability, water resistance and adhesive performance in drywall construction. This formulation is found to have good boraxstability and water resistance. In addition, this formulation is foundto be superior in regard to the bond of the joint tape to the jointcompound at both normal and low temperatures.

EXAMPLE 13 Example 12 is repeated here except that the polyvinyl acetateis added to the wet adhesive paste in the form of a 55% solids polyvinylacetate emulsion. Comparable test results are obtained.

The amount and type of additional binder material used in the polvinylalcohol adhesives of the present invention will depend on the particularend use and desired adhesive properties. In cooked up paper laminatingadhesives pearl starch is to be preferred while dextrin and polyvinylacetate are preferred where fast tack is desired as in bag seamadhesives.

The total amount of binder material used in the dry wall joint compoundsof the present invention varies from 2 to 20 parts by weight per hundredparts of joint compound. The remainder of the joint compound willcomprise from 80 to 97 parts of inert fillers with about one (1) part ofadjuvants per hundred parts of joint compound.

As indicated in Examples 6 and 10 to 12 above, in dry wall jointcompounds polyvinyl alcohol may be the sole binder material or it can beused in conjunction with polyvinyl acetate. The amount of polyvinylacetate used as additional binder material will vary from to 300 partsper 100 parts of polyvinyl alcohol resin.

EXAMPLE 14 The following example is set forth to illustrate a bag seamadhesive having excellent borax stability and water resistance that isprepared in accordance with the practice of this invention.

The polyvinyl acetate used is the same as that used in Example 10 whilethe polyvinyl alcohol used is of the fully hydrolyzed variety havingless than 1% by weight residual acetate groups and a 4% solutionviscosity of 55 centipoises.

The dry ingredients are blended and dispersed in cold water. The slurryis heated to C. for 15 minutes and the resulting adhesive is then cooledto 25 C.

The adhesive is tested for borax stability as in Example 1 and found tohave borax stability comparable to that obtained in Example 1. Thisadhesive is then used to form the seams in 32 lb. kraft paper using a1.5 mil glue line. Quick tack tests on these bag seams indicate that theadhesive sets within 60 seconds to the extent that paper failure isobserved after this period of time when an attempt is made to pull theseams apart.

The bag seams are allowed to dry overnight and then immersed in water at25 C. for 48 hours. After this time the adhesive seam is tested forwater resistance by tearing the seam apart. In each instance 100% paperfailure occurs in the seam indicating the excellent water resistancethat is achieved with the adhesive formulation of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 15 This example illustrates the use of starch as an additionalbinder material in a fiber board laminating adhesive formulation whichis prepared in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.The following formulation is used in this example.

Parts Polyvinyl alcohol 5.0 Glyoxal 2.0 Pentaerythitol 2.0 Clay 11.2Pearl starch 2.2 Water 77.6

Total 100.0

The polyvinyl alcohol used is the same as that used in Example 1 above.The dry ingredients are dry blended, slurried in cold water and thencooked as in Example 1. This adhesive composition is found to haveexcellent borax stability and other adhesive properties. Laminated fiberboard made with this material is found to have excellent waterresistance.

EXAMPLE 16 Example 15 is repeated here except using trimethylol ethaneas the polyol component. Comparable results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 17 This example illustrates the use of tricalcium phosphate tofacilitate dispersion of the binder components in the aqueous medium.The following formulation is used in this example.

Parts Polyvinyl alcohol 75 Glyoxal 15 Sorbitol 10 Tricalcium phosphate15 Total humectants, plasticizers, solubilizing aids, pigments, dyes,odor masking compounds, etc.

From the foregoing it should be apparent that many modifications andvariations may be made in the practice of the present invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. I

What is claimed is:

1. An aqueous adhesive composition wherein the adhesive portioncomprises:

(A) from 25 to 100 parts by weight of polyvinyl alcohol;

(B) from to 75 parts by weight of polyvinyl acetate resin;

(C) from 2 to 50 parts by weight of glyoxal per hundred parts by weightof the polyvinyl alcohol;

(D) from 2 to 40 parts by weight of a polyol per hundred parts by weightof the polyvinyl alcohol;

wherein the total of the polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetatecomponents is 100 parts by weight; wherein the polyol is selected fromthe group consisting of cis 1,2- polyols and 1,3-polyols selected fromthe group consisting of pentaerythritol and trimethylol alkanes whereinthe alkane group contains from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and wherein theamount of water is in the range of from 30 to 98% by weight based on thetotal weight of the adhesive composition.

2. The aqueous composition of claim 1 containing from 10 to 30 parts byweight of glyoxal per hundred parts of polyvinyl alcohol.

3. The aqueous composition of claim 1 containing from 5 to 25 parts byWeight of the polyol component per hundred parts of polyvinyl alcohol.

4. The aqueous composition of claim 1 wherein the polyol is sorbitol ormannitol.

5. The aqueous composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of water is inthe range of from 40 to 95% by weight.

6. An aqueous composition comprising:

(1) A binder portion comprising:

'(A) from 25 to 100 parts by weight of polyvinyl alcohol;

(B) from 0 to 75 parts of a polyvinyl acetate resln;

(C) from 2 to 50 parts by weight of glyoxal per hundred parts by weightof the polyvinyl alcohol;

(D) from 2 to 40 parts by weight of a polyol per hundred parts by weightof the polyvinyl alcohol;

wherein the total of the polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetatecomponents is 100 parts by weight; and

(H) An inert filler portion comprising inert fillers selected from thegroup consisting of clay, asbestos, mica, calcium carbonate, talc andmixtures of the foregoing; wherein the binder portion comprises from 2to 80 parts by weight of the total weight of the binder portion andinert filler portion; and

(III) An aqueous portion wherein the amount of water is in the range offrom 30 to 98% by weight based on the total weight of the adhesivecomposition.

7. The aqueous composition of claim 6 containing from 10 to 30 parts byweight of glyoxal per hundred parts of polyvinyl alcohol.

8. The aqueous composition of claim 6 containing from 5 to 25 parts byWeight of the polyol component per hundred parts of polyvinyl alcohol.

9. The aqueous composition of claim 6 wherein the polyol is sorbitol ormannitol.

10. The aqueous composition of claim 6 wherein the amount of water is inthe range of from 40 to 95 by weight.

11. A dry wall joint compound comprising an aqueous dispersion of (I)from 2 to 20 parts per hundred parts by weight of the dry wall jointcompound of a binder portion comprising:

(A) a polyvinyl alcohol resin having a 4% aqueous solution viscosity ofless than 6-5 centipoises when measured at 20 C. and a residual vinylacetate content of from 10 to 40% by weight;

(B) from O to parts of a polyvinyl acetate resin wherein the total ofthe polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate components is 100 parts byweight;

(C) from 2 to 50 parts by weight of glyoxal per hundred parts of thepolyvinyl alcohol;

(D) from 2 to 50 parts by weight of a polyol selected from the groupconsisting of cis 1,2- polyols and 1,3-polyols selected from the groupconsisting of pentaerythritol and trimethylol al'kanes wherein thealkane group contains from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and

(II) from to 98 parts by weight of an inert filler portion comprisinginert fillers selected from the group consisting of asbestos, mica,calcium carbonate, talc and mixtures thereof;

(III) from 30 to 98% by weight of water based on the total weight of theadhesive composition.

12. A dry wall joint compound as in claim 11 wherein the polyol issorbitol.

13. A dry wall joint compound as in claim 11 wherein the polyol ismannitol.

14. A dry wall joint compound as in claim 11 which contains minoramounts of adjuvants selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose, tricalcium phosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, sodiumacetate and mixtures thereof.

15. A dry wall joint compound as in claim 11 wherein the ratio ofpolyvinyl acetate to polyvinyl alcohol varies from 1:1.67 to 1.67:1.

16. A dry wall joint compound as in claim 15 wherein the polyol issorbitol.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,600,342 8/1971 Nickerson et al.260-17 R WILLIAM H. SHORT, Primary Examiner L. M. PHYNES, AssistantExaminer US. Cl. X.R.

161-251; 26017.4 ST, 29.6 E, 41 A, B, 874, 73 R

